How To Care For Jewellery

Caring for jewellery – storing it properly, cleaning it regularly, and taking it off to shower and swim – may seem like a lot of effort, but it’s one of the very best ways to extend the lifespan of your favourite pieces.

Just like all other accessories and fashion items, jewellery can begin to look a little tired over the years. It’s completely normal and natural, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Caring for jewellery in the right way can keep your most cherished items looking great for longer. And contrary to popular belief, caring for jewellery is very easy. Protecting your favourite anklets, rings, and accessories really doesn’t require a lot of effort, especially if you use the right technique for the type of jewellery.

Different types of jewellery, different crafting styles, and different materials all require slightly different approaches. Here, we’re taking a look at some of the most common types of jewellery. We’ll highlight some of the most well-known concerns with these pieces, and outline the best ways to care for them.

Beaded jewellery

Beautiful beaded jewellery can last for many years, especially when made from highly durable and long-lasting beads that are designed to stand the test of time. However, beaded pieces can last for even longer when they’re cared for in the right way. So what’s the secret to caring for beaded jewellery?

Firstly, caring for beads means trying to keep them away from substances that can cause them to lose their colour, their boldness, and their shine. Perfumes, hairsprays, creams, lotions, chlorine, and even heat can all affect the appearance of beads, so try to put your jewellery on after you’re ready to go out.

The second area that’s important to consider when it comes to caring for beaded jewellery is the string or elastic that the beads have been threaded onto. Elasticated strings, often used for bracelets and necklaces, can lose their elasticity if they are pulled, stretched, or tugged. It’s much better to roll the jewellery gently over your wrist or head, and always try to remove it before going to bed.

Silver jewellery

Silver and silver-tone jewellery boasts a bright, modern, and eye-catching appearance, but one of the biggest frustrations that jewellery owners have is that silver can tarnish quite easily. Tarnishing is the result of a chemical reaction between the metal and the oxygen in the air, and it results in a corrosive layer that forms on the surface of the silver. Copper and brass are also known for tarnishing easily.

Of course, the best way to keep your silver jewellery looking great is to try and prevent tarnishing in the first place. This can be done in two ways. The first is by minimising the amount of contact that the jewellery has with the air. Always be sure to keep your silver jewellery stored in a closed box, rather than leaving it exposed to the air. If you wanted to go one step further, you could even keep individual pieces in small ziplock bags, ensuring you remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing.

The second way to prevent tarnishing is simply to wear your jewellery more often! Silver jewellery is beautiful, and very special, which means that many people choose to wear it only on special occasions. However, the natural oils in the skin can help to remove the early signs of corrosion, and keep your pieces looking shinier – and healthier – for longer. Caring for jewellery really can be as easy as just wearing it!

Gold jewellery

Whether you love the classic look of yellow gold, the silvery shine of white gold, or the muted blush tones of rose gold, all gold jewellery needs a bit of care to keep it in top form. As one of the softer metals, the biggest way that gold can start to look tired and worn is through dents and scratches.

Caring for jewellery that’s gold or gold-plated means trying to remember to remove the jewellery when you’re undertaking activities where it could get damaged. These include preparing dinner, playing with the dog, or sports. It’s also important to store gold jewellery in a secure place, away from harder metals that could scratch it. How you clean your gold jewellery is also something to consider.

Gold – especially gold beads – look incredible when they’ve been polished, but polishing can be quite abrasive for such a soft metal. Doing it too often could cause the design to start wearing away. Instead, try soaking your jewellery. All you need is a bowl of warm water and a mild soap. Just pop your gold jewellery in, and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing and drying with a microfibre cloth.

Kids’ jewellery

Kids’ jewellery can be made from all sorts of different materials (often lots of different materials at once), and in all sorts of different designs. However, regardless of the type of jewellery, or the metal, it’s important that children are encouraged from an early age to care properly for their jewellery items. Now is a great time to start building some long-term best practices amongst even the smallest of wearers.

The good news is that many types of jewellery can be cleaned easily with safe, non-toxic, child-friendly cleaning products. For example, silver can be cleaned with mild soap and water, white vinegar, and baking soda, while copper can be cared for with tomato sauce and lemon juice! Kids should also know that it’s best to wipe any body sprays or natural oils from jewellery at the end of the day. Use a soft, dry cloth, before storing safely in a drawer or jewellery box, away from the air and from cheeky pets.

Keep your jewellery looking great for longer

Caring for jewellery is often thought of as being time-consuming or difficult, but it’s very easy when you know how. Whether you have a collection of expensive gemstones, or you prefer more everyday pieces, all jewellery is an investment. And getting the most from your investment really is as simple as caring for it.